Sacramento Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction and Pick: It's Groundhog Day for the Kings
Sacramento Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction and Pick: It's Groundhog Day for the Kings
When: 10:00 pm ET
Where to Watch: NBA League Pass
Click Here for Kings vs Timberwolves Odds
Minnesota Timberwolves at Sacramento Kings Betting Line Movement
Sacramento Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction
You have to feel for Kings fans.
Amidst everything that has gone sideways this season, at least the team had a young player who was universally lauded around the NBA as someone who could be an important part of a winning team wherever he played. Best of all, he wanted to take on the challenge of resurrecting a franchise that has been so down for so long.
So much for that. Tuesday's shocker that sent Tyrese Haliburton to Indiana in a deal that brought back Domantas Sabonis gives the Kings a great player in Sabonis but doesn't materially alter their present. Last night, without either Haliburton or Sabonis (or Buddy Hield or Tristan Thompson, also involved in the deal), the Kings fell flat at home against these same Wolves, losing by 20.
Is there any reason to think tonight will be different? If Sacramento was ever going to come out with a big effort, it was last night, when De'Aaron Fox made his return to the lineup after missing eight games. He was a minus-17 in 35 minutes. Given that the reinforcements likely won't be arriving in time for this game, it'll once again be Fox, Harrison Barnes, and not much else.
For the Wolves, this was now their fifth straight win and fifth straight cover. They've slowly but steadily risen to 12th in the NBA in net rating, and need to be taken more seriously than they have been by bettors. The uncertainty about their ability to beat a bad team in their own building twice in a row is the only thing keeping this line under double digits. Don't fall for it. Give the points on the road.
Kings vs. Timberwolves Pick
- Timberwolves -9.5 (-110) (Bet $110 to Win $100)
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Charlotte Hornets vs. Chicago Bulls Prediction
When: 7:30 pm ET
Where to Watch: ESPN
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Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets Betting Line Movement
Charlotte Hornets vs Chicago Bulls Prediction
What's wrong with the Charlotte Hornets?
Since putting up an NBA season-high 158 points in regulation in a 32-point drubbing of the Pacers on the road, the Hornets barely beat the LeBron-less Lakers in their own building and have since lost five straight, all but one of which have been at home. Worse yet, the losses are getting worse, with the most recent defeats coming at the hands of the Heat by 18 and the Raptors by 15.
As a result of the cold stretch, the Hornets have fallen to 9th place in the East, a game and a half back of reeling Brooklyn, and only a game and a half up on surging Atlanta. With Bradley Beal shut down in Washington and the Knicks in sell-mode, they probably don't have to worry about the security of their play-in spot, but still, what was unquestionably a feel-good season has taken an unexpected turn.
Things won't get any easier tonight. Even without Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso, the Chicago Bulls are 5-4 outright and 6-3 against the spread in their last nine games, with the only drops coming against Joel Embiid and the Sixers, in Toronto and in San Antonio. This game was more appealing when it opened as a pick'em for Charlotte, but the line moved with good reason. Give the points on the road.
Hornets vs. Bulls Pick
- Bulls -1.5 (-110) (Bet $110 to Win $100)